What are /r/shoppingaddiction's favorite Products & Services?

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Delete all the apps and Unsubscribe from the email.

Then put an app called Debt Payoff Planner Pro on your phone. There's a Web version that comes with it. It's $24.99/year.

Next, you're going to go get the PDF of ALL of this month's credit card statements, as well as any for the loans you have.

You're going to put the balance, the minimum payment, and the due date for each in the app.

Then, you find the statement issue date, and for each of those cards, you're going to put the amount that you paid last month in the payment field for each card. There's also a line for any new charges (that's already tallied).

So your inputs each month are: TOTAL PAID INTEREST ACCRUED NEW EXPENSES

From there, it calculates how much of the principal--that's the total amount you owe--that's ACTUALLY getting paid down when you make a payment.

I won't lie. You're going to be sick the first time you do all of this. That's necessary. Because you won't stop using the cards until you get tired of feeling sick. And when you do, that's when your debt will start going down.

You have a HUGE advantage if you are still living with your parents and have no living expenses. With 1700/month, that's going to knock out a considerable amount of debt in 12-15 months - - nearly all of it.

You CAN do it, but you need to do the tracker monthly.

Only buy the things you need, once a week, with a list in hand.

Purchase gas for your car, groceries for the whole week, and pack your lunch every day. This will slow you down, a lot. Let eating out be a weekend thing. Plan your splurges, and savor them more.

Start using Mint.com or Evernote and tracking everything you buy.

My Evernote has photos of grocery receipts, pictures, and prices of any clothing/shoes I've bought, for all of last year.

You need to have at least $2,500 saved at all times. If you don't have that yet, cut back until you get it.

Hey, friend. Glad you're here. You can't fix the problem until you recognize that you have one, so good job. That took a lot of courage.

Get this app and start inputting the info from your monthly credit card statements. Use the date the statement was issued. Don't delete any debts when you get thrm paid off. You can also use the website version with the same login if that's easier.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.oxbowsoft.debtplanner

Male here also. The biggest thing for me was determining WHY I was spending on certain things. Why was I buying clothes? Because I wanted to feel better about my body. Why was I buying things to host people (i.e. games, beer mugs, nice housing things, etc.)? Because I was feeling lonely.

By knowing what triggers you, you'll be able to put yourself in a better environment for success.

To feel better about myself, I work-out regularly and I'm trying to find a career that I am inspired by.

I'm lonely and stuck in the suburbs, but I am making more of an effort to connect with Meetup.com etc.

This has helped me a lot, and when I am happy/vibing hard on life, I don't feel the need to fall into my destructive addictions.

I love project Gutenberg! There is also a volunteer-run audiobook version of it called LibriVox LibriVox

They’re great because you can listen to the public domain books in audiobook format and if you want, you can even volunteer to read for them!

Edit: I forgot to add—I DEFINITELY have this issue too. At first, I didn’t think t was a big deal. Books are great. We never had “a lot” of them growing up due to finances (still had some and of course the library, but we live rural, so it’s a drive). Then when I got to be a teen/adult I started going to the annual book sale at a closer library (different state, so we couldn’t afford fees to join). It was donation basis and they always have awesome titles. And I’m pretty sure you can see the end of that story from here lol. Now I’m moving in with my sister, so I have to figure out what to do with my book collection since I’ll only have the one room at the apartment really. For me, there’s a big emotional part of it. It’s definitely anxiety related. Fear of missing out. Fear of making a mistake or not reading a great book—but will I ever read it? Some of these books have been here for years... but now is the Time to start trying! Good luck on your journey to “de-book” yourself and let me know if you have any good tips. :) If you still want free ebooks, here’s a link to prolific works. They feature new/independent authors and the authors do giveaways by genre. Usually you have to subscribe to their newsletters, but you can unsubscribe later if you don’t want to receive more. prolific works

I just used this site to block all of my shopping addictions and it ain't messing around. Best one I've used and I cant get around it. Thought I'd share: https://getcoldturkey.com

I have both MTHFR and COMT, which you can read plenty about over at /r/MTHFR. Having them both has been described like having one foot on the brake and one on the gas when it comes to metabolizing certain things, here's a quick and dirty: https://www.mygenefood.com/comt-mthfr-genes-linked/

I buy Nature Driven hemp oil off Amazon for $20 and have had great luck with it. People kept telling me to try CBD, so I did, but it made me dizzy - basically the hemp just makes me have noticeably more energy and a better mood, which offsets some of my PI-related "fog."

Since I have COMT I don't do well with the methylated B vites you often get advice to take for MTHFR, so I just make sure I take a drugstore B vitamin supplement every day. Can really notice when I don't take it for a few days, I start getting grumpy and moody. Mine has folinic acid, not folate, which seems to make a difference.

@ me if you want to compare notes, I get all kinds of intolerable reactions to many ADHD meds - severe personality changes, 103 fever, you name it. Was a real load off my mind to finally figure out what was going on.

A new place is always potentially harder at the beginning. How about finding maybe then some alternatives in the area instead of shopping? Like joining fitness sessions or looking around meetup.com if there's something in the area interesting? Maybe these events are also a good starter to make some new friends within the area. ^Maria

Warner's Women's Cloud 9 Super Soft Wireless Lightly Lined Comfort Bra 1269 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GZBGVRO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_GRPFEK6AJXCQ81GRP704?psc=1 It wouldn’t let me link :( but warners women cloud 9

I've been meaning to use the Notion app as an inventory catalogue, but learning the keyboard shorts is slighty arduous, probably why I haven't start yet but, in case anyone else wants a go

https://www.notion.so/Wardrobe-Organiser-Notion-Template-9482dc411fb04ac88191e328aa59f9f3

For lash extensions I use clusters like these and use lashify and Ardell glue!

I place the clusters under my lashes. Look up the lashify system, I use the same method but get the lashes off Amazon since they’re cheaper and it’s easier to use the smaller clusters. I also started using the stronger semi permanent ardell glue once I got used to doing them more since it’s harder to take off. It doesn’t last 3-4 weeks like normal lash extensions but I find that as clusters fall off I’d just glue them back on which is super quick! People were surprised to know I don’t go to a lash tech anymore and I’m pleased with the results :)

For gel I use DND brand and a light I bought off of Amazon!

For lash extensions I use clusters like these and use lashify and Ardell glue!

For the dopamine. We need other sources of dopamine if we want to stop shopping.

The Molecule of More: How a Single Chemical in Your Brain Drives Love, Sex, and Creativity--and Will Determine the Fate of the Human Race https://smile.amazon.com/dp/1948836580/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_CK762VNTA0W4RFS2YRDM

Hey, the first episode is out :) It's not on all podcast apps yet as it takes a few days to get approved but you can listen here https://www.buzzsprout.com/1758508 . I'd really appreciate any feedback to improve future episodes

It sounds like you might benefit from mindfulness meditation. It might sound “trendy” but it actually has purpose and meaning. When I was really trying to distract myself with things and stuff I found I was actually just trying to avoid some emotions I was afraid to deal with and process. I am not saying this is your case, but you might consider trying mindfulness meditation as a practice just as a means to slow down and enjoy your now and you.

This is not something that will “fix you” overnight, but a skill you’ll develop over time. When I get the urge to buy something or a start a project, I use mindfulness tactics to check in and discover patterns in my behavior - what happened right before your inclination to spend popped up? Did something specific upset me? Does it happen frequently after I had a conversation with someone specifically? Like a family member?

Jack Kornfield has an incredible audiobook called “Mindfulness for Beginners.”

Meditation for Beginners https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01679X0JU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_ZVQ2C4YN3ABANWVQH5X2

Remember, life is a practice, not a destination…

Feeling easily overwhelmed when trying to fix something wrong in your life is a sign that part of you thinks it is safer to ignore the real problem than to even look at it because you feel it is too much to address.

The reality is you need to first forgive yourself for the past.

Forget about the spending mistakes you previously made and chart a rough course towards the future you want.

If you have Microsoft excel (if not get libreoffice [https://www.libreoffice.org/] and use calc) here are the steps I need you to do.

First just record what your paycheck is.

Then I want you to record shelter, utilities, food, misc and sanity

The sanity budget is the amount of money you are willing to blow to keep your sanity and for right now make it as big as possible.

We will flush it out later.

But the first step to budgeting is to figure out the rough numbers.

Then after a week, check to see if you stayed under your sanity budget.

If you did, good you can slowly drop it by $5/month and up savings $5/month until you hit your savings goal.

If not, don't worry. We just missed a part of you that is trying to protect you and we need to step back and listen with curiosity and understanding to figure out what we are missing. Then we bring ourselves with compassion and love to address those concerns that part of us has.

You can do this.

You are worthy of the love, consideration and acceptance it takes to become your true self. Isn't that something your father would have wanted for you?

Since you said you fully use everything and that your job perspective is good, maybe it’s okay to buy these things. Just beware that you may have more money in the future, but don’t spend money that’s not yours already and don’t live above your means.

Even though you are a college student, if you have the money, you might think about bigger goals you have. Eg not makeup or clothes. How about a car? A house? A child? Several rentals to live off passive income? A luxury vacation per year? There are different goals to save for, some bigger than the other, some farther in the future than the other. It’s always good to start getting well versed in personal finance early on. Since as you said, your future job will be lucrative, you may have a lot more money to plan for. And if you like money, learning personal finance will just help you get more money, and derive more joy from the money since you can clarify your goals and know that you are spending money in ways that maximize your joy, instead of spending small bits here and there with no clear plan in mind.

I recently read this book that I thought was a good start https://www.amazon.com/Here-Financial-Happiness-Enrich-Your/dp/1119510961

Have you heard of Ramit Sethi's *I Will Teach You To Be Ric*h? In it, he talks about conscious spending, where you "spend money on things you love and cut costs mercilessly on the things you don't". I use to think cut, save, don't spend, only bare necessities. But this often left me deprived, guilt riddled whenever I did purchase anything. It in turn created more anxiety that unfortunately made me what to shop more. Kinda like bulimia but with money and spending; which was really unhealthy. Conscious spending helps me identify what brings me joy (shout out to Marie Kondo) and what I think is worth it. I often ask myself if I would end up donating or throwing it out in 5-10 years. I'm I just wanting to possess it just 'cus it's pretty? Would someone else find more joy in it? It usually helps my decision process. Now I find myself acknowledge and appreciate its beauty before letting it go to a proper home with someone who'd give it more time and love.

Amazon link to his book so you can take a free peek inside (pg126): https://www.amazon.com/Will-Teach-You-Rich-Second/dp/1523505745/ref=sr_1_1?crid=17JU7UPS78KMI&dchild=1&keywords=i+will+teach+you+to+be+rich&qid=1601655998&sprefix=i+will+%2Caps%2C161&sr=8-1

Learn your stressor(s)/que(s) and be honest with yourself. Sometimes it just takes setting some time aside, have a tech-free day to clear your mind, or mentally checking in with yourself, like you would with a friend going through a tough time. IDK if this would help much but that's how I process my shopping itches.

It's this one: https://store.hp.com/us/en/pdp/hp-laptop-15t-7fq32av-1?jumpid=ma_weekly-deals_product-tile_laptops_1_7fq32av-1_hp-laptop---15t

I found a similar one on amazon, and I have a gift card. That's why it would only cost me $200.

Here's the one on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078XPK53C/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A17VG06QGS61QX&psc=1

What you are experiencing is a proven phenomenon: studies have shown that, yes, willpower is a finite resource. Exercising willpower uses up your willpower stores. And this crosses over into other areas, so, for example, if you use your willpower during the day working on a difficult project, you'll be less resistant to [cake/shopping/alcohol/etc.] in the evening.

So this means you should try to reduce the willpower it takes to resist shopping. Easier said than done, believe me, I know! But there are a few strategies you can try. One is to reduce your exposure to shopping triggers. Unsubscribe from sale newsletters. Use a browser plugin to block shopping sites. Set up recurring deliveries of necessities like toilet paper and shampoo so you don't have to actively engage shopping mode to buy that stuff.

Another strategy is to change your habits so that when you crave the distraction or fun of shopping, you do something non-destructive that satisfies that craving. So when you have an urge to do some mindless shopping, maybe you go on YouTube and watch a few cat videos instead, or get up from the computer and walk around for 10 minutes, or text a friend to say hi. Theoretically, while it's really hard at first, it should get easier as you replace one habit with another that satisfies the same craving.

A book recommendation is The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg, it's not specifically about shopping addictions, but the concepts apply. Your library should have it.